In this episode, Jayson Dombele sits down with Nick Durham, General Partner at Shadow Ventures, to explore the world of venture capital through a thematic focused lens. We learn why Shadow VC chose the built environment theme and the advantages and challenges of this approach. Nick shares their unique capital raising tactics and how they select startups for their portfolio. Discover the comprehensive support they offer founders beyond funding and gain insights into their evaluation process for potential investments in the built environment industry. Join us as we discuss the future of venture capital and Shadow VC's growth strategy as a thematic focused firm.

Venture Capitalists are always conducting due diligence on startup founders-- but have you ever wondered who conducting due diligence on vc funds?

Find out on today's episode!

April Oury, One of the Capital Managing Director at Prota Ventures, joins the show to discuss various topics including career switching, defining human flourishing in investing, the Prota Ventures investment process, and the pre-seed stage.

Hosted by Jayson Dombele, the podcast episode begins with a discussion about April Oury's career journey. April shares her experience as a course instructor at the Institute of Physical Art and her subsequent ownership of Body Gears Physical Therapy for 16 years. She then explains how she transitioned into angel investing and venture capital with Prota Ventures.

Next, the conversation shifts to the concept of human flourishing, a prominent focus at Prota Ventures. April shares her perspective on what human flourishing means to her and how it influences their investment approach.

The episode then delves into the four levels of the investment process at Prota Ventures: Incubator, Labs, Capital, and Exit. April provides insights into each stage and explains how they support entrepreneurs and startups throughout their journey.

One of the challenges faced by founders is determining the appropriate time to raise a pre-seed round due to market inconsistencies. April sheds light on this topic by discussing the characteristics and milestones that indicate a startup is ready for a pre-seed round.

Finally, April highlights Prota Ventures' competitive edge. She explains what sets them apart from other venture capital firms and why entrepreneurs choose to work with them.

The podcast episode offers valuable insights into April Oury's career path, Prota Ventures' investment philosophy, and the factors involved in raising a pre-seed round. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the Prota Ventures approach to investing and the importance of human flourishing in the startup ecosystem.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Christopher Deutsch, the Founder of Lofty Ventures, as we delve into the topic of building Chicago's tech ecosystem through angel investing. Christopher shares his insights and experiences as an angel investor, shedding light on the importance of first check angels in nurturing and supporting early-stage startups.

We explore the transformative power of turning founders into angels, discussing how their firsthand entrepreneurial experience can provide invaluable guidance and mentorship to founders. Additionally, we dive into the benefits of angel syndicates, examining how pooling resources and expertise can fuel the growth and success of startups.

Join us for an engaging conversation as we uncover the strategies and initiatives that contribute to the development of Chicago's tech ecosystem. Whether you're an aspiring angel investor, a founder looking for investment, or simply interested in the dynamics of angel investing, this episode offers valuable insights into the world of angel investing and its impact on the tech landscape.

Tune in now to gain a deeper understanding of how angel investing plays a vital role in fostering innovation, supporting startups, and driving the growth of Chicago's thriving tech ecosystem.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Michelle Rogoff, an Investor from HPA VC, as we dive into the challenges and advantages of being a woman in the venture capital industry. We explore the unique experiences and insights that Michelle brings as a Gen Z investor, shedding light on what it's like to navigate the world of venture capital from a younger perspective.

Additionally, we delve into the topic of navigating the startup environment as a woman or Gen Z founder. Michelle shares her expertise and personal experiences, providing valuable insights and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Join us for an engaging discussion as we uncover the strategies and approaches to overcome obstacles and thrive in the startup ecosystem.

Tune in now to gain valuable perspectives on breaking barriers, embracing opportunities, and succeeding as a woman or Gen Z founder in the ever-evolving world of startups and venture capital.

Today's episode highlights our event where we will explore the intricacies of securing funding for startups.

We understand the numerous challenges that founders face as they operate their businesses. Capital serves as the lifeblood of a startup, and venture capitalists (VCs) play a vital role in fueling innovation, growth, and expansion.

In the recent quarter, the VC industry has seen significant changes. The capital flowing into new funds has decreased, and VCs have become more selective in deploying their capital, resulting in fewer investments. With recent bank failures and a weaker economic environment, founders now need to focus on long-term planning, fundamentals, and healthier finances.

However, amidst these challenges, new companies continue to emerge, especially those leveraging game-changing technology or addressing current gaps in the market.

Throughout the panel discussion, we addressed various topics, including practical insights and tips for entrepreneurs, navigating the current funding landscape, fundraising strategies, and best practices. We will also delve into the challenges of raising capital and explore ways to overcome them.

A big thanks to the panelists Ellie Bahrmasel (Co-Founder of Further Faster), Michelle Rogoff (VC at HPA), Hylton Irons (VC at Listen Ventures) & Michael Abramowitz (Co-Founder of Braid It!)

Thanks to our sponsors as well over at Braid It!

Where short form video content meets collaboration & community

Join us for an insightful conversation with author Mark Achler (Founder @ Math Venture Partners) as we explore the world of entrepreneurial exits through his book, "Exit Right." In this episode, we uncover key aspects such as alignment between negotiating parties, the delicate balance of running a company while seeking an exit, choosing the right exit strategy, life after the exit, and the invaluable mistakes and lessons learned throughout the journey. Tune in for expert advice on navigating the complexities of entrepreneurial exits.

Join us as we dive into the world of entrepreneurial exits with author Mark Achler (Founder of Math Venture Partners) and his insightful book, "Exit Right." In this episode, we explore the emotional rollercoaster founders experience during the exit process. We discuss the motivations behind writing the book, the role of bankers and attorneys, and the importance of building relationships, strong teams, and transparency. Gain valuable insights and strategies to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurial exits and ensure a successful journey. Tune in now to learn more!

Jayson Dombele 🤝 Mike Achler

In this podcast, we speak with a seasoned venture capitalist from Jump Capital who specializes in the fintech space. We explore his background and how he became interested in venture capital, specifically in fintech. We dive deep into what he looks for when evaluating fintech startups and the most important qualities that make a successful fintech company.

We also discuss the most exciting trends in fintech right now and what he believes will be the next big thing in the industry. With the fundraising environment having changed in the past year, especially in the fintech industry, we ask about the main challenges that startups face in raising capital right now and the advice he would give to founders who are looking to raise money for their fintech startups in the current fundraising environment.

We also explore how fintech is transforming the financial industry and what the potential benefits and drawbacks of this transformation could be. We delve into a fintech company that Jump Capital has invested in, and what made the company stand out. Additionally, we look at the biggest challenges that fintech companies will face in the coming years, and how they can overcome these challenges.

Finally, we touch on a successful fintech company that Jump Capital has exited, and what the exit process was like. We close the podcast with advice for those interested in pursuing a career in venture capital, especially in the fintech space.

In this podcast episode, the focus is on the challenges faced by founders while building their startups, including burnout, isolation, and losing sight of their humanity.

Kristina Chapple, a venture capitalist from 11 Tribes Ventures, shares insights on how to address these issues and support founders' well-being, such as investing in mental and physical health and building a supportive community. 11 Tribes Venture Capital also emphasizes the importance of redemptive purposes and distinctive startups, and Kristina discusses how they identify and support founders driven by purpose and principles. Additionally, the podcast explores the balancing act of building sustainable, profitable businesses that create value for investors.